Crime News / Beheaded Man's Body Found In Pond, Balangir Police Unearths Head From Suspect’s Bedroom
·1 hour ago·2 min read
Key Points
The headless body of 45-year-old Santosh Kharsel was found floating in a pond in Bagada village, Balangir; his severed head was later recovered buried beneath the bedroom floor of detained suspect Shatrughna Sahoo.
Balangir, Aug 20: A man was killed on Thursday and his body dumped in a pond after his head was severed in Bagada village under Deogaon police station limits in Balangir district, a source said.
The victim has been identified as Santosh Kharsel, 45, a resident of Tebdamunda village under Tusura police station limits.
According to the source, the headless body was spotted floating in a pond near the water tank in Bagada village on Thursday morning. Villagers informed Deogaon police, who reached the spot, recovered the body and launched an investigation.
Severed Head Found Buried In Bedroom
During the investigation, police detained a local identified as Shatrughna Sahoo for questioning on suspicion.
Police subsequently searched Sahoo's house and recovered the victim's severed head buried beneath the floor of his bedroom.
The accused has been detained at Deogaon police station and is being questioned in connection with the murder at the time of filing this report. Police have also seized the body and the severed head as part of the investigation.
Murder Motive Yet To Be Established
Police have not yet established the motive behind the killing.
Sahoo is a person with a criminal background and has previous cases registered against him, the source informed.
Some villagers expressed suspicion that the killing may have been linked to superstition or a sacrifice. However, police have not confirmed any such motive.
Further investigation is underway.
Also Read: From Paranormal Tale to Brutal Reality: Odisha Police Make Shocking Revelation
It can be mentioned here that Odisha recorded 75,403 violent crimes in 2024, just behind Uttar Pradesh, which reported 85,647 cases. As per the latest NCRB data, Bihar reported the highest 1,07,303 violent crimes followed by Maharashtra 87,791 in the second spot. In fact, Odisha recorded the highest rate of violent crimes in the country in 2024. Crime rate is calculated on the number of offences/victims per lakh population, using the mid-year projected population.
The victim has been identified as Santosh Kharsel, 45, a resident of Tebdamunda village under Tusura police station limits.
According to the source, the headless body was spotted floating in a pond near the water tank in Bagada village on Thursday morning. Villagers informed Deogaon police, who reached the spot, recovered the body and launched an investigation.
Severed Head Found Buried In Bedroom
During the investigation, police detained a local identified as Shatrughna Sahoo for questioning on suspicion.
Police subsequently searched Sahoo's house and recovered the victim's severed head buried beneath the floor of his bedroom.
The accused has been detained at Deogaon police station and is being questioned in connection with the murder at the time of filing this report. Police have also seized the body and the severed head as part of the investigation.
Murder Motive Yet To Be Established
Police have not yet established the motive behind the killing.
Sahoo is a person with a criminal background and has previous cases registered against him, the source informed.
Some villagers expressed suspicion that the killing may have been linked to superstition or a sacrifice. However, police have not confirmed any such motive.
Further investigation is underway.
Also Read: From Paranormal Tale to Brutal Reality: Odisha Police Make Shocking Revelation
It can be mentioned here that Odisha recorded 75,403 violent crimes in 2024, just behind Uttar Pradesh, which reported 85,647 cases. As per the latest NCRB data, Bihar reported the highest 1,07,303 violent crimes followed by Maharashtra 87,791 in the second spot. In fact, Odisha recorded the highest rate of violent crimes in the country in 2024. Crime rate is calculated on the number of offences/victims per lakh population, using the mid-year projected population.
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